Many Americans struggle with weight loss and diabetes. Over 69% of adults over the age of 20 are overweight or obese. {1} It is also estimated that over 29 million Americans are dealing with diabetes. {2} It is therefore not surprising that pharmaceutical companies are marketing drugs for weight loss and diabetes control such as Invokana. Unfortunately, sometimes those drugs are sold on the market regardless of the side effects.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals manufactures Invokana, a Type-2 diabetes prescription medication. Invokana, an SGLT2 inhibitor, is designed to help control blood sugar levels by helping the kidneys remove excess sugar from the body through urine. In addition to being sold as a diabetes control medication, Invokana has also been marketed and sold as a weight loss medication.

Invokana may be Harmful to your Health

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning about Invokana. Specifically, the FDA has warned that Invokana use may result in too much acid in the blood. {3} This condition, known as Ketoacidosis, may require hospitalization and care. Patients and the family of patients taking Invokana should pay attention to signs of ketoacidosis such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Confusion
• Unusual fatigue or sleepiness.

The FDA warns that if patients are experiencing these symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately. The FDA has urged medical providers to report side effects in their patients as the FDA continues to research this medication. Additionally, Invokana and other SGLT2 inhibitors have not been approved for Type-1 diabetics.

The New York Times reported that during the clinical trials of the medication, an increased risk of heart attack and strokes was seen in clinical trials patients. Clinical trials of more than 10,000 patients revealed some signs of an elevated stroke risk and increase in the number of patients experiencing heart attacks within 30 days of beginning the medication.

It was reported in April of 2015, after the release of Johnson & Johnson’s first-quarter earnings that sales of Invokana had tripled. This increased the company’s earnings on Invokana alone to $287 million for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson’s profits from the sale of Invokana are expected to increase. With more of the drug on the market, patient injuries could increase. If you or a loved one have suffered ketoacidosis following Invokana use, contact Chelsie King Garza for a free consultation today.